McBaine to Harstburg - McBaine, MO
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member YoSam.
N 38° 53.249 W 092° 26.777
15S E 548023 N 4304436
A location and site marker at the McBaine Trailhead. It has information for the traveler to "look-out" for on their trip.
Waymark Code: WM16FAP
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 07/20/2022
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member iconions
Views: 2
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County of marker: Boone County
Location of marker: State Hwy K, Katy Trail State Park, McBaine Trailhead
Marker erected: 2010
Marker erected by: Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Marker Text:

McBaine to Hartsburg

The distance between McBaine and Hartsburg is 15.9 miles. There are mostly bluffs on the left nd a variety of landscapes on the right, including farms, pastures, wetlands and the riparian corridors of Perche Creek and the Missouri River. The trail passes through Eagle Bluff and Hart Creek conservation areas and the towns of Providence (mlepost 165.5), Easley (milepost162.5) and Wilton (milepost 157.4). Providence was a former port on the Missouri River and the terminus of the Providence Plank Road, connecting Columbia to the river. Today, Providence is on Perche Creek.

One of Columbia's four wetland wastewater treatment units adjoins the trail. Roots and stems of wetland vegetation such as cattails contain microorganisms that feed on organic material. After the water leaves the last treatment unit, it goes to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area to help fill 13 pools.

The variety of habitats makes this section of Katy Trail State Park an outstanding place for viewing wildlife. Waterfowl and rails use the wetland cell. In the spring, summer and early fall, look for songbirds in the trees. Turkey vultures spiral around the bluffs. Snakes, turtles, wild turkeys, deer, rabbits, and butterflies can be seen on or near the trail. Winter is an excellent time to view bald eagles between the mouth of Little Boone Femme Creek and Easley, and along the bluffs at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area.

Web link: [Web Link]

History of Mark:

The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT)
Begun in the 1870s, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, also known as the Katy, ran through much of the Missouri River valley by the 1890s. With the Pacific Railroad running from St. St. Louis to Jefferson City by 1856 and the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad becoming the first cross-state railroad in 1859, the Katy was a relative late comer to the railroad game. However, it provided a vital link between the agriculture of central Missouri and the quickly developing American southwest. The Katy added to Missouri's prosperity, supporting towns along the corridor and causing several new towns, such Mokane and Tebbetts, to spring up almost overnight.

The Katy Ceases Operation
In the fall of 1986, the Katy experienced severe flooding that washed out several miles of track. Due to the cost of repair, the fact that railroad use was in decline, and the company was in financial trouble, the company decided to cease operations. On Oct. 4, 1986, trains 101 and 102 became the very last trains to use the corridor and the Katy ceased operations on its route from Sedalia to Machens.

The Railroad Amendment
The National Trails System Act Amendments of 1983 provided that railroad corridors no longer needed for active rail service can be banked for future transportation needs and used on an interim basis for recreational trails. When the Katy Railroad ceased operations, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources filed for a certificate of interim trail use for the corridor from Sedalia to Machens and it was granted in April 1987. The department used the opportunity to develop one of the most successful rails-to-trails conversions in the United States.

The Development of Katy Trail State Park
The first section of the trail from Rocheport to McBaine opened in April on 1990. In August of 1990, another section from Augusta to jut northeast of Defiance opened. The rail corridor from St. Charles to just past Sedalia was developed by 1996. Through a donation from the Union Pacific Railroad, the department then extended the trail to Clinton, opening the section between Sedalia and Clinton in September of 1999. Funds from the Missouri Department of Transportation will be used for construction of the final section of Katy Trail from St. Charles to Machens. Future plans include the Rock Island Trail-Katy Connector, which will connect the trails at Windsor to Pleasant Hill.



Additional point: Not Listed
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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kJfishman visited McBaine to Harstburg - McBaine, MO 01/05/2024 kJfishman visited it